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Build-up of dirt and other surface contaminants such as body oil, sunscreen and sweat can reduce the effectiveness of the textile's durable water repellent (DWR) treatment, affecting performance and breathability. Dirt allows water molecules to be drawn into the face fabric, saturating or 'wetting out' the fabric and leading to increased levels of condensation on the inside of the garment.

Properly washing your Arc'teryx GORE-TEX® removes dirt and other contaminates from the garment, restoring its water repellency and breathability.

When to wash your Arc'teryx GORE-TEX® garment

When to wash depends on how often and how hard you use your gear. For heavy activity we suggest washing after every 10 to 12 days of use, and for light activity wash every 20 to 30 days of use. Use your best judgment; if your garment looks dirty, or you are starting to feel damp or clammy, or your garment is no longer shedding water and is wetting out, it's time to wash and dry. Take care of your gear and it will take care of you.

The recommended Gore-Tex detergents are designed to be gentle and to rinse completely. Detergent residues can contaminate and impair the function of the membrane fabric and its water repellency treatment. When using detergents specific to outdoor apparel, simply follow the instructions. If a conventional detergent is used then avoiding fragrance, colorants, optical brighteners, and fabric softeners will aid garment function. Both enzymes and surfactants are fine when effectively rinsed. If you only have access to normal laundry soaps ensure to rinse the garment with a second rinse cycle to more completely remove any residual cleaning chemicals.

How to prepare your GORE-TEX® garment for washing

To prepare the garment for washing; close the main zippers and pit zips, open pocket zippers, and release tension on all elastic draw cords. Add cleaning agent to the machine and wash the garment on a medium heat setting (40°C / 104°F). Remove the garment, shake to remove excess water and place it in the dryer. DWR is reactivated best when tumble dried at a medium heat setting (40°C / 104°F) for 40 to 50 minutes.

How to reapply the Durable Water Repellent (DWR)

DWR is a polymer applied to the face fabric of an Arc'teryx GORE-TEX® garment. When the garment is not shedding water like it used to, even after it's been washed and dried, it's time to reapply the DWR. We recommend using Grangers® XT Waterproofer spray, Fibertec Blue Guard Spray-On and ReviveX® Spray-On Water Repellent because their technologies complement the garment's original DWR. After washing, close all zippers, hang the wet garment on a hanger and spray DWR evenly onto the wet face fabric of the garment. Next, place the garment in a tumble drier on a medium heat setting (40°C / 104°F) for 40 to 50 minutes. We do not recommend using a wash-in DWR.

Other Care Instructions

How to wash and care for your Down garment

When down garments lose their loft or when they have a build-up of dirt or oils the effectiveness of down is reduced and it is recommended that these garments be washed. It's important to clean your down garments occasionally to maintain their loft and promote longevity; however, it is best to do it as sparingly as possible.

We strongly recommend using a front loading washing machine for this; however, if you have a washing machine with an agitator (top loading machine), it is recommended that you place the garment inside a mesh laundry bag to help protect it during the wash cycle.

We recommend using a down-specific detergent such as Granger's Down Cleaner. Use warm water (neither hot nor cold) on permanent press or gentle cycle to reduce agitation, and then rinse thoroughly. We suggest using two rinse cycles to be sure that all the down cleaner has been removed.

It's a good idea to remove excess moisture before drying by laying the garment on a flat surface and gently pressing with a clean towel. After doing this, dry the down garment on low heat (permanent press cycle) with two clean tennis balls or "sock balls" to help the garment retain its full loft. It may take upwards of 3 hours for down garments to dry fully, but a garment will not be at its full loft/warmth until it is.

Once dry, immediately remove the garment from the dryer and store unstuffed, in a dry place.

How to wash and care for your gloves

Arc'teryx gloves are constructed using a variety of materials and fabrics, and patterned uniquely to provide the perfect combination of dexterity and warmth.

Arc'teryx premium quality Lezanova leather "dries softly" maintaining suppleness as it dries. We strongly suggest that you keep gloves and mitts at a safe distance (at least one metre) from direct heat sources such as wood stoves, or baseboard heaters.

For washing, we recommend that you hand wash your gloves or mitts with a mild detergent in warm water, and then hang to dry. Do not use a washing machine, tumble dryer or any type of wash-in treatments.

Removable liners should also be hand-washed and dried separately. Both the outer shells and the glove liners should NOT be turned inside out.

How to re-apply Durable Water Repellent (DWR) to your Softshell garment

DWR is a polymer substance applied to the face-fabric of an Arc'teryx Softshell garment. When your Softshell garment is no longer shedding surface moisture as it used to—even after it's been washed and dried—it's time to reapply the DWR. We recommend using Grangers® XT Waterproofer spray, Fibertec Blue Guard Spray-On or ReviveX® Spray-On Water Repellent because the technologies complement the garment's original DWR treatment. After washing close all zippers, hang the wet garment on a hanger and spray Grangers® XT Waterproofer spray, Fibertec Blue Guard Spray-On or ReviveX® Spray-On Water Repellent evenly onto the wet face fabric of the garment. Next, place the garment in a tumble drier on a medium heat setting (40°C / 104°F) for 40 to 50 minutes. We do NOT recommend using a wash-in DWR as this process does not guarantee an even distribution of the DWR solution across the entire garment. Instead we suggest using a spray-on solution as this can easily be applied directly and evenly to the entire garment.

How to wash your insulated garment

We strongly recommend washing your insulated jacket in a FRONT LOADING washing machine. Select the gentle cycle with a two-rinse setting and a wash temperature of 30°C / 86°F.

Tumble dry your garment inside out on a warm/medium (60°C / 140°F) temperature setting for approximately 30-40 minutes or until dry.

To remove stubborn stains, first, spot clean the stained area with Grangers® Performance Wash, Fibertec Pro Wash or ReviveX® Synthetic Fabric Cleaner allowing the stained area to soak for 10-15 min, or use a stain eraser on the contaminated area. Then wash and dry the garment as per the instructions given above.

How to re-proof your insulated garment

We recommend using a Spray-On, or a Wash-In reproofing product, such as Grangers® XT Waterproofer spray, Fibertec Blue Guard Spray-On or ReviveX® Spray-On Water Repellent.

First, wash your garment using Grangers® Performance Wash, Fibertec Pro Wash or ReviveX® Synthetic Fabric Cleaner. Then, use your chosen reproofing product and either spray directly on to the outer face-fabric of the garment while it is still wet, or simply wash the garment in a second wash-cycle according to the suggestions above, adding the appropriate amount of Wash-In waterproofing product to the wash-cycle. Be careful to follow the washing instructions on the waterproofing product label.

Tumble dry your garment inside out on a warm/medium (60°C / 140°F) temperature setting for approximately 30-40 minutes or until dry.

How to care for your fleece garment

Machine wash in lukewarm water and tumble dry at a low temperature. Do not bleach; avoid use of fabric softeners, do not iron or dry clean. For best results, launder garment with like-colours. For the optimal performance, throw your fleece garment in the washing machine when you wash your GORE-TEX® jacket using Grangers® Performance Wash, Fibertec Pro Wash or ReviveX® Synthetic Fabric Cleaner. It removes all of the dirt, prevents odour from building up in the fabric and leaves no residue.

How to care for your wool garment

We strongly recommend dry cleaning your woolen products, however in most cases, you may hand-wash your woolen garments in cold water using a special soap such as Zero/Woolite, then lay flat to dry.

How to wash and care for your footwear

The best way to wash your footwear is simply with water. You can either rub the dirt off with your hands or else you can scrub the footwear with a soft brush. You should be able to get most of the dirt off this way. If you feel that you need to use soap, use a mild or pure soap and rinse the footwear thoroughly to remove any residue. Leave the footwear to dry (don't use a dryer or any other source of heat). If you leave the footwear outside, leave them in the shade. They should dry overnight, but it might take longer depending on the climate.

How to wash and care for your footwear liners

Footwear liners should be hand-washed only, using a pure, mild soap, or a normal detergent. Do not use bleach, or fabric softeners. Footwear liners should be hung to dry and NOT put in the tumble dryer.

How to wash your pack

The best way to wash your pack is simply with water. You can either rub the dirt off with your hands or else you can scrub the pack with a soft brush. You should be able to get most of the dirt off this way. If you feel that you need to use soap, use a mild or pure soap and rinse the pack thoroughly to remove any residue. Hang the pack to dry (don't use a dryer or any other source of heat). If you hang the pack outside, leave it in the shade. It should dry overnight, but it might take longer depending on the climate.

Hipbelt care and maintenance

All Arc'teryx Naos AC² packs feature our rotating Load Transfer Disc, all of which are pre-lubricated in our factory. Under normal (mild to moderate) use, the Disc will not require any maintenance, however, after prolonged use or exposure to surface contaminants such as sand, mud, or brush, it may need simple cleaning or lubricating.

If you hear any noises or experience a reduction in the smooth rotational movement of the hipbelt, you can simply remove the hipbelt and clean the Discs.

To remove the hipbelt and clean the Discs:

Remove hipbelt by loosening off side load stabilizer straps and un-thread from plastic buckles on pack body. Take note of the hipbelt orientation for re-assembly.

Lay pack on its front upon a level surface and rotate hipbelt 1/4 turn counter-clockwise until Discs disengage with a small 'pop', and separate easily with minimal resistance.

Once removed, wipe both Discs with a clean dry rag until debris is removed. If enough lubricant is remaining, re-install the hipbelt to the pack body (see re-assembly instructions below).

If grit or debris remains, use a rag soaked with mild dish soap and warm water to wipe Discs, or use a toothbrush to remove all debris. Re-apply a thin coating of AC² lubricant to the outer rings of both Discs, and to interlocking lugs, being careful not to over-lubricate. To obtain a free sample of AC² lubricant, please contact us using the Contact Us Form

To re-assemble the hipbelt to the pack body:

Lay pack body on its front upon a level surface and lay the hipbelt in its final position, with the ends curving towards the top of the pack.

Turn hipbelt to the left 30 degrees and align the teeth on the Discs. Once aligned, apply firm pressure on the face of the hipbelt to press the Discs firmly together and then rotate clockwise until engaged.

Special AC² lubricant may be obtained from most Arc'teryx retailers. If AC² lubricant is not available near you, or to obtain a free sample of AC² lubricant, please contact us using the Contact Us Form

Alternately, you can use plumber's silicone grease as a back-up, available at most hardware stores or scuba dive shops.

Do not use oil based lubricants such as WD40, as it will cause the Discs to seize and degrade the urethane components.

Stain Removal Tips

To remove gum or sap from a garment, first freeze the substance with some ice, then use a dull butter knife to scrape off as much as you can. Soak the garment in a water/white vinegar solution, and then either wash it in warm water with mild powder laundry detergent or with a cleaner specifically designed for cleaning synthetic garments, such as Grangers® Performance Wash, Fibertec Pro Wash or ReviveX® Synthetic Fabric Cleaner. For really stubborn stains, brush with a soft bristle brush, like an old toothbrush, using Grangers® Performance Wash, Fibertec Pro Wash or ReviveX® Synthetic Fabric Cleaner diluted with 3 parts water.

To remove grease from a GORE-TEX® garment, you should dampen the stain and then rub the stained area with Grangers® Performance Wash, Fibertec Pro Wash or ReviveX® Synthetic Fabric Cleaner diluted with 3 parts water (dishwashing detergent can also be used with fair results). You can then clean the jacket in warm water, again using the Grangers® Performance Wash, Fibertec Pro Wash or ReviveX® Synthetic Fabric Cleaner (see above: "How do I wash my GORE-TEX® jacket?"). If the stain persists, you can use Grangers® Performance Wash, Fibertec Pro Wash or ReviveX® Synthetic Fabric Cleaner or sponge it with a safe cleaning fluid which can be found at a grocery store. If cleaning fluid is used, the DWR will need to be reapplied.

Glossary of Terms

Detergent

A cleaning agent that increases the ability of water to penetrate fabric and break down grease and dirt. Detergents contain surfactants or wetting agents which work to reduce the surface tension of the water allowing it to surround particles of grease and dirt, making them more easily removed. It's very difficult to fully rinse detergent from a garment. The wetting agents in any residual detergent on the fabric may impede the function of the DWR by reducing water's surface tension and allowing it to enter into the fabric. For this reason, if using a detergent soap, we recommend a second rinse cycle to more completely remove any residual detergent.

Surfactant

A surfactant ("surface-active agent") is a chemical that stabilizes mixtures of oil and water by reducing the surface tension at the interface between the oil and water molecules. Surfactants are designed to produce the opposite effect of DWR's. By reducing the surface tension of water they allow it to be more easily drawn into fabrics.

Hydrophilic

Having an affinity for water; readily absorbing or dissolving in water. Water attracting.

Hydrophobic

Having a resistance towards water, water repellent. Water repelling.

Durable Water Repellent (DWR)

Dry fabric is imperative to the optimum performance of the garment. DWR is a polymer applied to the surface of fabric to increase surface tension and make it hydrophobic, or water repelling. DWR penetrates the fibers and prevents the outer layer of fabric from becoming saturated with water. If the fabric becomes saturated due to an absence of DWR, called wetting out, the garment's perceived breathability is reduced. DWR is not permanent. Both wear and washing will reduce the effectiveness of the DWR treatment on the surface of the fabric. This is most common on the shoulders and upper back due to friction produced by wearing backpacks. There is enough DWR present on the fabric when water beads up and runs off the fabric.

Wetting Out

Wetting out occurs when the durable water repellent (DWR) stops working or wears off. This most commonly occurs due to the buildup of dirt and other contaminates or by the DWR being removed through normal wear. Reduced effectiveness of a fabric's DWR accelerates the rate at which it will become saturated with water. Fully saturated face fabrics are prone to heat loss through the effects of evaporative cooling. This elevated heat loss may also lead to increased rates of condensation on the inside surface of the fabric, making you feel wet on the inside.